Newark,Delaware, April 7, 2012–”The Greek God” Papadon made East Coast Wrestling Association (ECWA) history at the 16th annual ECWA Super 8 tournament tonight, pinning TNA star Anthony Nese, Bobby Fish, and Bandido Jr in one evening to become the first man to walk into – and win – the tournament as ECWA Heavyweight Champion.

Previously, “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels won Super 8 as champion, but only after winning the title during the course of the tournament.“I’m honored, but not surprised,” smiled the man once so hated – but tonight cheered – by the ECWA faithful. “I did exactly as I said … and KNEW I would. Now I only hope the wrestling world was taking notice, as they have so many times in the past.”

The road was a difficult one for The Greek God, who had to defeat one of TNA’s fastest-rising X division stars, in Nese, in the first round.

Round One – Papadon vs. Anthony NesePapadon’s first-round match against TNA star Anthony Nese was a very hard-fought battle, and one that did not leave him unaffected. After sustaining a series of brutal suplexes, kneelifts, and a punishing 450 Splash from the top rope, Papadon was able to catch his fellow New Yorker off-guard, quickly pinning him after a running European-style dropkick in just over 11 minutes. For the big TNA television star, the night was already over. For Papadon, however, a long and dificult journey was only just beginning. It was now on to the second round, where Papadon would be forced to contend with the internationally savvy Bobby Fish.

Round Two – Papadon vs. Bobby FishNo handshakes, and apparently no respect by Fish, who rejected an attempted show of respect by the usually hated champ, just prior to punishing him with suplexes and a springboard moonsault off the apron. In the end, it was another running dropkick’ this time to the back of Fish’s head at the 15 minute mark that was enough to bring this match to an end, and to propel Papadon into the finals.

Unfortunately for Papadon, the final round of the Super 8 tournament presented its own set of challenges, in the form of luchadore Bandido Jr, brandishing traditional lucha mask in honor of his father at ringside.

Round Three – Papadon vs. Bandido JrWith Bandido Sr watching on from his ringside seat, Bandido Jr turned in the fight of his life against Papadon, punishing him with aerial maneuver after aerial maneuver before he fell victim to a Papadon piledriver.With trophy standing beside the very proud Greek God, Papadon could do little but gleam as he looked back on the milestone he had just achieved. After holding both the Super 8 trophy AND ECWA Heavyweight title high above his head as the standing crowd and all of his tournament peers looked on, Papadon grabbed the microphone and exclaimed, “For years, I’ve wanted this tournament so bad. It’s such a great pleasure, the fans are some of the greatest and most loyal fans in independent wrestling today. Thank you so much to all of you who helped make this possible for me.”

In other opening round tournament matches, Bamdido Jr pinned his tag partner Azrieal, Gregory Iron defeated Kyle Matthews and Bobby Fish forced Kekoa The Flyin Hawaiian to submit to a leglock submission, after working over his knee for more than 10 minutes. One additional second-round matchup saw Bandido taken to the limit by Gregory Iron, only to come out on top in the end.

In addition, longtime ECWA veteran – and perrenial underdog – Mr. Ooh La La shocked most of his fellow locker-room mates and fans by winnng a Royal Rumble-style invitational battle royal, last eliminating the owner of the ECWA, Mike Tartaglia. Ooh La La, who emerged from the backstage as the #3 entrant, immediately fainted when left alone in the ring with both members of The Nigerian Nightmares. After being revived, he would later slide under the bottom rope to come to the aid of his manager, “Coach” Jim Shorts, who was injured when Ooh La La bumped into him and knocked him out of the ring after being intimidated by AHTU. During that time, the match was seemingly won by newcomer Mustafa Aziz, at which time Tartaglia emerged from the back and paid him to eliminate himself from the match. In his arrogance, Tartaglia totally forgot about Ooh La La, who was still at ringside and was able to sweep in to toss the former Hitman over the top rope, and earn a shot for hmself at any title in the ECWA, on any date of his choosing.

In other action, reigning ECWA Tag Champions The Midnight Sensations successfully retained their titles with a big Triple-Threat match win over former champions The Flatliners and Fusion-DS. With Fusion, The Sensations, and Flatliner Burns laid out outside the ring after a Burns suicide dive, Asylum found himself the victim of a brutal assault by the massive Nigerian Nightmares, as the crowd watched on in horror. Never ones to let bygones be bygones, Asylum and Burns would make an appearance later in the night during the Invitational Battle Royal, to return the fight back to The Nightmares and get some vengeance, costing them the match.